Since we fancy ourselves educators as much as BUG-People, here's a couple of thoughts on science fair projects in general... 

For one thing, science is typically an experimental process. When you look up scientific data in any book, encyclopedia, or on the Internet, you are learning about something that a scientist did research and experimentation on. However, in this case, you would not be being a scientist. So, our initial thought is that you can look up information like this for fun, but a science fair should provide an opportunity to actually investigate something actively - instead of reading it in a book.

 

Now, we have encountered some science fair coordinators who would rather have their students just look stuff up. We always make faces at those people! Science itself is an exciting, valuable, and fun way to look at the world, and until you actually do some research for yourself, you can never fully appreciate its value. So, we would actually recommend that you set up a little experimental design with some animal like mealworms or crickets (available for next to nothing at most pet stores) or earthworms (bait shops). Perhaps investigate whether they prefer light or dark - wet or dry.... one thing or another. This will get your daughter much closer to being a scientist!

 

That said, we are not certain of the world's most poisonous insect. There are a few places you can search though. The University of Florida has a pretty comprehensive Insect Records Book. They have a page that refers directly to this question about venoms. It talks about harvester ants. One of these is the Bullet Ant - so named for its sting which is supposed to feel like getting shot by a bullet! Also, the Guinness Book of World Records has a web site and you might find helpful information there. I first met them with Randy Morgan, the curator of the Insect House at the Cincinnati Zoo.

 

There is also a problem with the phrase "most poisonous." Here's some definitions that might help....

 

Venom (according to Webster's New World Dictionary) is the poison secreted by some snakes, spiders, insects, etc., introduced into the body of the victim by bite or sting.

 

Toxin is any of various poisonous compounds produced by some microorganisms and causing certain diseases; or, any of various similar poisons, related to proteins, formed in certain plants... or secreted by certain animals, as snake venom: toxins, when injected into animals or humans, typically initiate the formation of antitoxins.

 

Poison is a substance causing illness or death when eaten, drunk, or absorbed...

 

So, venom and toxins are technically poisons. Toxin is more biologically defined, and a venom is typically injected. This means, spider poisons are most appropriately venom.

 

That only matters semantically - the important part is what they do to us! And when most people refer to "poison" they mean "deadly." Not too many insects themselves are actually deadly. Some transmit diseases that are deadly. 

The most dramatic example of this is Malaria which is caused by a small parasite that lives part of its life in a mosquito and part of its life in a mammal. It gets spit into the mammal when the mosquito feeds and spits digestive enzymes and anticoagulants into the bite. Worldwide, about 2,000,000 people a year die from Malaria - still. And it is very nasty  even if it doesn't kill you. This probably qualifies as the most deadly insect bite - but it isn't really the insect that does the damage!

 

What this suggests is that you might want to re-focus your question a little. If you decide this should be a "look-up" research project, you might consider looking for the effects that insect venoms have on us. That might be a more fruitful investigation (and you and your daughter will learn a lot more than the drama of "the most" anything).

 

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